Brown credited his work on the greens for his terrific play this year. He switched to a left hand-low putting grip in May "and it's really worked well.

"And I've grown up the last year and a half mature-wise, and that's been big for me.

"But more than anything is believing in myself."

Brown has never had such a big lead going into a final round. "But I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, being patient, and hope it'll be enough."

Massie, also an EKU alum, got to four-under for the tournament before frittering away a couple of shots down the stretch. He knows catching Brown won't be easy. Massie has played some on the Hooters Tour and witnessed Brown's torrid play.

"He's on one of those rolls and can't miss, and he's gotta keep going with it," Massie said.

Britt, another EKU alum, had the best round of the day. He birdied seven of his last 14 holes to shoot a 68.

Thanks to recent rain and watering, Persimmon Ridge isn't playing as dry or as difficult as it did for the 2002 Kentucky Open. Grant Sturgeon won that year with a 1-over total of 217.

Sturgeon was in the field this week, but shot 75-82 to miss the cut by four shots.